Rumors About Storage Units Spark Concern
by Doug La Rocque
The Thursday, December 10 Brunswick Town Board meeting opened with public comment as usual, and it was then the board heard an Eagle Mills resident speak about talk he is hearing that the owner of the Kindle and Adult Trailer Park on Brunswick Road (NYS Route 2), would like to create a multi unit storage facility on land he owns adjacent to the park. The speaker told the board he felt it was a bad idea, and non conforming with the town’s Zoning Law.
Supervisor Phil Herrington agreed there has been talk of such, and asked Planning and Zoning Board Attorney Andy Gilchrist to elaborate on what could or could not be done. Attorney Gilchrist said first, any such plans would have to be presented to the town’s building department, and further stated such a proposal is contrary to the zoning regulations. That would mean before any construction could begin, the developer would have to apply to the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals for a use variance, and that the conditions under which such could be granted are very strict. The matter would also, most likely, have to be presented to the Planning Board for its approval as well.
It was brought up that the Kindle and Adult Park is also not permitted under the current zoning regulations, but Mr. Gilchrist said it was there long before these regulations were established, thusly it is grandfathered in. Any additional construction or expansion, is not.
Looking For a Letter of Termination
Former Town Highway Superintendent Brandon Hill once again addressed the board, and again asked for a termination letter. He was dismissed as Highway Superintendent in October, ostensibly because he was no longer able to physically perform the job which resulted from an injury, he contends, he suffered while on the job. He claims he was promised such a letter at that time.
As may be inferred from the previous paragraph, there are legalities involved here, with each side having legal counsel. Town Attorney Tom Cioffi advised the board not to answer Mr. Hill in open session, since there is the possibility of litigation. He said any conversation it may have about a termination letter should be done in executive session. So, that is exactly what the board did, and upon returning to open session said Mr. Hill would receive a letter, though the exact contents and nature of the letter were not revealed.
Be It Resolved
There were a number of resolutions before the board that evening, including a two-year agreement with the Brunswick Fire Company # 1 and a three-year agreement with the Volunteer Fire Company of Center Brunswick to provide fire protection services. The board also appointed Julie Irick to the office of Acting Assessor, effective December 14, at a salary of $47,500.
The Board approved a resolution declaring two pieces of highway department equipment to be surplus and authorized their sale, and approved a contract with the Mohawk-Hudson Humane society for animal shelter services for the year 2021.